Yet despite a whole bunch of great ideas to make your shopping experience easier this holiday season, here you are.

What’s a desperate last minute shopper to do?

Get some gift cards & certificates.

Yes. It’s that simple. There’s little point in fighting through stores to buy gifts you’re only half-sure the intended recipient will even like. Gift cards can be purchased for just about any store anywhere, and can even be found in large bundles in stores like Loblaw’s or Shopper’s Drug Mart.

Got a music fan? Go for an iTunes gift card or HMV‘s for the less digitally inclined. Someone’s been complaining about needing to do home renovations? Gift cards from Home Depot, Rona and other such outlets will get them the head start they need. Got a comic book fan that needs an excuse to make the pilgrimage to Silver Snail in downtown Toronto? They’ve got gift cards too.